Obama: Energy programs can help rescue rural America

President Obama brought the same message to Missouri today that he did to Iowa yesterday: New energy programs can help revive rural towns hit hard by globalization and recession.

"Ten years ago next month, this plant produced its first gallon of ethanol," Obama said after touring POET biofuels in Macon, Mo. "That's something to be very proud of."

Businesses in other parts of the country "can replicate your success," Obama told plant employees and invited guests while extolling energy programs embedded in the 2009 stimulus bill.

Alternative energy programs can not only provide jobs, Obama said, they can reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil as well as reduce heat-trapping carbon emissions. He said world competitors know "the country that leads the clean energy economy will be the country that leads the 21st-century global economy."

Obama said he visited rural Missouri and Iowa because "there's a lot that towns in Middle America can share with the rest of America."

"There's certainly a lot you can share with Washington," he said. "Common sense, for one."

Later today, Obama moves to another small town -- Quincy, Ill. -- to discuss another pressing item: the Wall Street regulation bill hung up in Congress.

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About David Jackson

David's journalism career spans three decades, including coverage of five presidential elections, the Oklahoma City bombing, the 2000 Florida presidential recount and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He has covered the White House for USA TODAY since 2005. His interests include history, politics, books, movies and college football -- not necessarily in that order. More about David